Improvement in earth-closets



BENJAMIN E'EEEIs, 0E WILMINGTON, DELAWARE.

Letters Patent No. 113,411, dated April 4, 1871.

' iMPRovEMEN-r IN EaINH-etcetera` The Schedule referred t`o ln thesel Letters Patent and making pari: of the same.

To 'all whom it may concern Be it known that I, BENJAMIN FERRIs, of Wil mington, Delaware, have invent-ed certain new-aud useful Improvementsi'n Earth-Closets, of which the following is a specification.

The nature of my invention consists in the construction of an earth-closet, in which the devices are f'ew and simple and yet effective, as will hereafter be more fully set forth.

Figure l is a vertical section of my closet, showing the lid and relative arrangement of the devices when it is closed.

Figure 2 is a similar view, showing the lid raised.

Figure 3 shows the camsrby which the chute is operated.'

A represents the frame;

B, the hopper;

O, the lid; and

D, the pail. e i

Secured to the lid is a lever, E, which has pivoted to its inner end an intermediate lever, G, so as to connect .the seat C with the centrally-hinged lever H on the end of the shaft I.V

The bottomlpar't N of the hopper-B is made of metal, cast in one piece, and is secured firmly to the frame A, and forms thc journals or support for the shaft I. v

To this shaft is secured the feeder L, which is made to move partly back and forth so as to assume the relative positions shown in the drawing, as the lid is 'raised or lowered.

Each time that the lid .is raised the lever E is changed from a horizontal to aperpendicular position, drawing down the intermediate lever G, and this, acting on the centrally-'hinged lever H,`turns the shaft I partly around, so as to move the pocket of the feeder under the hopper, where it is immediately filled with earth.

As the lid is closed these operations are reversed, andthe feeder is turned forward, as shown in g. 1,` so 'as to empty the earth into the pail D. v

Hinged loosely t0 the shaft I is the chuteA 0,1,Ivhich ,i receives the earth as it falls from Vthe feeder and conduets it to the pail.

Secured to the shaft I are two or more cams l, which, as the shaft turns partly around, act upon the upper end of the chute O and change it from au almost vertical to nearly horizontal position.

Vheu thelid is raised, it is thrown into the position -shown in fig. 2 while the feeder is receiving its supply of earth.

Almost as soon as the lid begins to close, the chute, as it is released from the action of the cams, begins to fall, and as it falls it spreads the earth over the entire bottom of the pail. 5

Extending along the bottom of the hopper B is a shaft,"a, to which is secured a number of curved double-edgedA cutting-blades, b, which, as they move back and forth, keep the earth constantly stirred, so as to prevent it from clogging.

Secured to one end ofthe shaft a isa slotted lever, S, which is moved back and forth by the action of the centrally-hinged lever H, and as it moves back and forth it operates the stirrer-shaft a.

I am aware of the devices shown iu the application of AJames Megratten, led February 28, 1871. I do not claim anyV such arrangement; but

IVhat I do claim,'and desire to secure by Letters Latent, isi l. The-shaft I, provided with lche cams I), for operating the chute O, substantially as closed.

2. lIhe stirrer-shaft a, provided with the curved cutting-blades b, in combination with the slotted crank or lever S, centrally-pivoted lever H, levers E G, and lidC, when combined to operate asset forth.

3. The lid C, levers E G H .S, stirrer ab, the feeder L, shaft I, provided with the cams Pfso as to operate the chute 0, when all are arranged and combined to operate substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I hereby aix my signature. l

Vtnesses: BENJAMIN .FERRIS F. A. LEHMANN, EDWD. FERRIS. 

